Evaluation of adherence and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation Translated title: Evaluación de la adherencia y de los resultados en salud en trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To measure adherence to cyclosporine, tacrolimus and sirolimus prophylaxis against secondary graft failure; cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus and mycophenolate prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease; and posaconazole, voriconazole, valganciclovir prophylaxis against infection in patients undergo to transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells; and to analise the incidence of acute complications based on adherence. Method: Retrospective observational study of patients who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation between May 2017 and May 2018. Analyses were carried out between 0 and +100 days post-engraftment. Whenever possible, adherence to mycophenolate, tacrolimus, sirolimus, posaconazole, voriconazole and valganciclovir was evaluated by means of the dispensation records of the Pharmacy Department of our hospital. To be considered adherent, patients should have proved an adherence rate equal to or higher than 95%. Adherence to cyclosporine was determined based on serum levels. Patients were considered to be non-adherent if their cyclosporine serum concentrations dropped below 100 ng/mL at any time between days 0 and +100, in the absence of any specific justifying circumstances. The association between adherence and the inci dence of acute complications (secondary graft failure, acute graft-versus-host disease and infection) was determined by means of the odds ratio (confidence interval: 95%). Results: The study sample was made up by 46 patients, all of whom were started on immunosuppressive cyclosporine prophylaxis; 8.7% needed to be switched to tacrolimus or sirolimus due to toxicity issues. All the patients received cyclosporine as prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease. Mycophenolate was also administered in 41.3% of cases. A total of 82.6% patients were found to be adherent to their prophylaxis treatment against graft failure and 80.4% were found to be adherent to prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease. All patients were adherent to anti-infection prophylaxis. The incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease in prophylaxis-adherent patients was 45.9%, compared with 55.6% for non-adherent patients (odds ratio 0.68; confidence interval: 95% 0.157-2.943; p = 0.718). Conclusions: Patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation demonstrated acceptable adherence to prophylaxis against acute complications, although a considerable percentage of patients was found not to take their medication as prescribed. Correct adherence to immunosuppressants seems to reduce the risk of developing acute graft-versus-host disease.

Translated abstract

Resumen Objetivo: Medir la adherencia a la profilaxis del fallo secundario del implante (ciclosporina, tacrolimus, sirolimus), de la enfermedad injerto contra receptor (ciclosporina, tacrolimus, sirolimus, micofenolato) y de las infecciones (posaconazol, voriconazol, valganciclovir) en el paciente sometido a trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos. Comparar la incidencia de complicaciones agudas en función de la adherencia. Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes sometidos a trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos desde mayo de 2017 hasta mayo de 2018, entre el día 0 y +100 postrasplante. La adherencia a micofenolato, tacrolimus, sirolimus, posaconazol, voriconazol y valganciclovir se evaluó mediante los registros de dispensación del servicio de farmacia, siempre que fuera posible. Se definió como paciente adherente aquel con un porcentaje de adherencia igual o superior al 95%. La evaluación de la adherencia a ciclosporina se realizó mediante medida de los niveles plasmáticos. Se definió como paciente no adherente aquel cuyos niveles plasmáticos de ciclosporina fueran inferiores a 100 ng/ml en alguna medida entre los días 0 y +100, en ausencia de factores asociados que lo justificaran. La asociación entre adherencia e incidencia de complicaciones agudas (fallo secundario del implante, enfermedad injerto contra receptor aguda e infección) se estimó mediante la odds ratio y su intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se incluyó a 46 pacientes. Todos comenzaron profilaxis inmunosupresora con ciclosporina; en el 8,7% se cambió a tacrolimus o sirolimus por toxicidad. Todos los pacientes recibieron ciclosporina para la profilaxis de la enfermedad injerto contra receptor. En el 41,3% de los casos también se administró micofenolato. El 82,6% fueron adherentes a la profilaxis del fallo de injerto. En cuanto a la profilaxis de enfermedad injerto contra receptor, resultó adherente el 80,4%. Todos los pacientes resultaron adherentes a la profilaxis infecciosa. La incidencia de enfermedad injerto contra receptor aguda de los pacientes adherentes a la profilaxis fue del 45,9% frente al 55,6% en los no adherentes (odds ratio 0,68; intervalo de confianza del 95% 0,157-2,943; p = 0,718). Conclusiones: Los pacientes sometidos a trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos presentan una aceptable adherencia a la profilaxis de complicaciones agudas, pero existe un considerable porcentaje de pacientes que no toman su tratamiento adecuadamente. La correcta adherencia a los inmunosupresores parece disminuir el riesgo de sufrir enfermedad injerto contra receptor aguda.